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Simon Graj - Graj's Brand Anatomy - ForbesSimon Graj's stories. Graj's Brand Anatomy: I write about maximizing brand development opportunities.Copyright 2015 Forbes LLChttp://0.gravatar.com/avatar/2c5450c50b4fbe1a034a8bda2dd96431?s=400&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2F0.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D400&amp;r=Ghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/08/12/sex-just-how-do-you-brand-it/
Sex: Just How Do You Brand It?When the Museum of Sex opened its doors back in 2002, I was among the skeptics. On Fifth Avenue and East 27th Street, was this just a vestige of the porn-smut contagion that had nearly sunk Times Square short decades ago? The Museum of Sex has withstood time's test well and [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5208ee7ce4b0eab447ca4ebeMon, 12 Aug 2013 10:20:00 -04002013-08-12T10:20:00-04:00When the Museum of Sex opened its doors back in 2002, I was among the skeptics. On Fifth Avenue and East 27th Street, was this just a vestige of the porn-smut contagion that had nearly sunk Times Square short decades ago? The Museum of Sex has withstood time's test well and [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/08/07/container-store-the-art-of-brand-celebration/
Container Store: The Art of Brand CelebrationThe Container Store has traveled miles of learning and awareness since its modest first store in Dallas 35 years ago. Some 60 locations and 6,000 employees later, Container Store is a retail brand that exhibits a deep-seated Digital Age psyche: It responds to our need to store and organize lots of [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/52029269e4b0eab447c9f588Wed, 7 Aug 2013 15:14:00 -04002013-08-07T15:14:00-04:00The Container Store has traveled miles of learning and awareness since its modest first store in Dallas 35 years ago. Some 60 locations and 6,000 employees later, Container Store is a retail brand that exhibits a deep-seated Digital Age psyche: It responds to our need to store and organize lots of [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/07/29/toms-shoes-doing-better-than-good/
Toms Shoes: Doing Better Than GoodSo many brands consider it prudent to project a socially responsible image. Why do such a large number end up seeming contrived and artificial in their social responsibility programs? Perhaps because the initiatives are dressed up in rhetoric that's so inflated and excessive it's almost toxic. If you're steering a brand [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51f67c4be4b0eab447c91da4Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:41:00 -04002013-07-29T10:41:00-04:00So many brands consider it prudent to project a socially responsible image. Why do such a large number end up seeming contrived and artificial in their social responsibility programs? Perhaps because the initiatives are dressed up in rhetoric that's so inflated and excessive it's almost toxic. If you're steering a brand [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/07/22/shark-tank-entrepreneurial-brands-swim-in-one-every-day/
'Shark Tank': Entrepreneurial Brands Swim In One Every DayMost of you have tuned into an episode or two of the reality TV series Shark Tank. For many, it's the American dream in modern dress. How well can an entrepreneur "pitch" an idea to a group of hardened investor/tycoons? What will make them see the promise? What will make [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51ed749ae4b01eba1e839a39Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:30:00 -04002013-07-22T15:30:00-04:00Most of you have tuned into an episode or two of the reality TV series Shark Tank. For many, it's the American dream in modern dress. How well can an entrepreneur "pitch" an idea to a group of hardened investor/tycoons? What will make them see the promise? What will make [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/07/15/will-bmw-dominate-ownerless-driverless-car-branding/
Will BMW Dominate Ownerless, Driverless Car Branding?Recall some of the memorable car advertising slogans of old? "See the USA in your Chevrolet" Ford's "Better ideas driven by you" Pontiac's "We build excitement" Chrysler's "Your next car" They stem from a world when you owned the car and drove it, too. Both assumptions seem enduring, if not unchallengeable. The fact is: These [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51e44ac9e4b01eba1e82fe3bMon, 15 Jul 2013 16:27:00 -04002013-07-15T16:27:00-04:00Recall some of the memorable car advertising slogans of old? "See the USA in your Chevrolet" Ford's "Better ideas driven by you" Pontiac's "We build excitement" Chrysler's "Your next car" They stem from a world when you owned the car and drove it, too. Both assumptions seem enduring, if not unchallengeable. The fact is: These [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/07/10/intel-gore-tex-and-eastman-the-provenance-of-ingredient-branding/
Intel, Gore-Tex and Eastman: The Provenance of Ingredient BrandingIngredient Branding has steadily increasing prominence in the licensing and branding world. As a result, more and more products promote the quality components they contain. Our awareness of and expectation for high-performance ingredients have become new and forceful purchasing criteria. In a couple of decades, our shopping instincts have morphed. Rather [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51ddca27e4b01eba1e829a93Wed, 10 Jul 2013 16:58:00 -04002013-07-10T16:58:00-04:00Ingredient Branding has steadily increasing prominence in the licensing and branding world. As a result, more and more products promote the quality components they contain. Our awareness of and expectation for high-performance ingredients have become new and forceful purchasing criteria. In a couple of decades, our shopping instincts have morphed. Rather [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/06/24/sharp-teeth-the-needed-new-mantra-for-luxury-brands/
Sharp Teeth: The Needed New Mantra For Luxury BrandsFor an avalanche of reasons, lifestyle brands – especially those at the luxury level – need to reassert their functional footing. Brands driven solely by style may be losing essential impact. LVMH is a good reference point. Over the past five years, LVMH has performed handsomely compared to the Dow. In [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51c8560de4b033a6589b2eafMon, 24 Jun 2013 11:32:00 -04002013-06-24T11:32:00-04:00For an avalanche of reasons, lifestyle brands – especially those at the luxury level – need to reassert their functional footing. Brands driven solely by style may be losing essential impact. LVMH is a good reference point. Over the past five years, LVMH has performed handsomely compared to the Dow. In [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/06/18/licensing-no-free-ticket-to-sales/
Don't Sabotage Brand LicensingManaging intellectual property and other intangibles may seem like pure finance. Beware that dangerous trap. Intangibles can cut deep into operating issues, especially customer perception and customer service. While you may not (or may no longer) manage the manufacturing of a branded product, neglecting perceived brand identity and ownership can [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51b73d9ce4b03f988b9130c8Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:20:00 -04002013-06-18T09:20:00-04:00Managing intellectual property and other intangibles may seem like pure finance. Beware that dangerous trap. Intangibles can cut deep into operating issues, especially customer perception and customer service. While you may not (or may no longer) manage the manufacturing of a branded product, neglecting perceived brand identity and ownership can [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/06/17/the-motor-citys-mostly-damaged-brand-detroit-itself/
The Motor City's Mostly Damaged Brand? Detroit ItselfWhen I came to Detroit as a youngster from Poland, the Motor City was still rolling along on a clip that had been set decades before. In just a few years, that economic powerhouse skidded to a halt. A recent Washington Examiner piece by Michael Barone is titled "Tragedy of [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51bf7719e4b033a6589a9048Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:54:00 -04002013-06-17T16:54:00-04:00When I came to Detroit as a youngster from Poland, the Motor City was still rolling along on a clip that had been set decades before. In just a few years, that economic powerhouse skidded to a halt. A recent Washington Examiner piece by Michael Barone is titled "Tragedy of [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/05/30/after-bangladesh-is-apparel-provenance-the-next-brand-dna-battleground/
After Bangladesh: Is Apparel Provenance The Next Brand DNA Battleground?The recent tragic fire at the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh left more than eleven-hundred workers dead. The sad odds are this horrific event won't be the last of its sort. Not since major changes in country-of-origin food labeling have we seen such a tidal wave for change in global [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51a7b52576e4b33d4115c37eThu, 30 May 2013 16:24:23 -04002013-05-30T16:24:23-04:00The recent tragic fire at the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh left more than eleven-hundred workers dead. The sad odds are this horrific event won't be the last of its sort. Not since major changes in country-of-origin food labeling have we seen such a tidal wave for change in global [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/05/20/millennials-call-todays-marketing-tune/
Millennials Call Today's Marketing TuneIt's voguish to dismiss the millennial generation as a narcissistic, me-driven, entitlement-presuming cohort. The millennials are, for starters, what previous generations have compelled them to be. If these young people seem unduly pre-occupied with self and money, it's at least partly in recognition that traditional social nets like medical insurance [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/519a353176e43b3840e92faeMon, 20 May 2013 10:42:03 -04002013-05-20T10:42:03-04:00It's voguish to dismiss the millennial generation as a narcissistic, me-driven, entitlement-presuming cohort. The millennials are, for starters, what previous generations have compelled them to be. If these young people seem unduly pre-occupied with self and money, it's at least partly in recognition that traditional social nets like medical insurance [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/05/13/will-ginori-be-good-for-gucci/
Will Ginori Be Good For Gucci?Word that Gucci will buy the Italian tableware-maker Ginori is great news for Ginori. The prestigious Tuscan craft brand was poised for bankruptcy earlier this year. Will Gucci – a division of French PPR – endow Ginori with better taste? Ginori already has taste in abundance. What Ginori needs – as [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51910e6476e43b3840e8971bMon, 13 May 2013 12:05:22 -04002013-05-13T12:05:22-04:00Word that Gucci will buy the Italian tableware-maker Ginori is great news for Ginori. The prestigious Tuscan craft brand was poised for bankruptcy earlier this year. Will Gucci – a division of French PPR – endow Ginori with better taste? Ginori already has taste in abundance. What Ginori needs – as [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/04/30/brand-building-in-silicon-valley/
Brand-Building in Silicon ValleyMy contributor colleague George Anders has penned a stimulating viewpoint in his recent piece on scouting Silicon-Valley talent. Our minds subtly transform aptitudes when we think about Silicon Valley mavens. Everyone in marketing would die to know who the next Steve Jobs will be. However, I offer a caution. Surely the [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/517fd6e976e43b3840e77c92Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:51:56 -04002013-04-30T10:51:56-04:00My contributor colleague George Anders has penned a stimulating viewpoint in his recent piece on scouting Silicon-Valley talent. Our minds subtly transform aptitudes when we think about Silicon Valley mavens. Everyone in marketing would die to know who the next Steve Jobs will be. However, I offer a caution. Surely the [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/04/24/do-mattel-dolls-have-dna/
Do Mattel Dolls Have DNA?Forbes' recent article on Mattel raises a survival issue with which all toymakers need to wrestle: Do toys, especially dolls, have DNA just like organic life-forms? My belief? They do . . . or at least they should. In my opinion, Mattel's doll program seems to have wisely exploited DNA facets: "or the [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5177f41676e4fa1dcc6cdc84Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:48:28 -04002013-04-24T11:48:28-04:00Forbes' recent article on Mattel raises a survival issue with which all toymakers need to wrestle: Do toys, especially dolls, have DNA just like organic life-forms? My belief? They do . . . or at least they should. In my opinion, Mattel's doll program seems to have wisely exploited DNA facets: "or the [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/04/08/brando-the-wisdom-of-wildness/
Marlon Brando And The Wisdom of WildnessIn the film The Wild One, a defiant, motorcycle-jacketed Marlon Brando taps out a dance rhythm with his fingers atop a juke box. When asked what he's rebelling against, he snorts, "Whadya got?" That's the spirit! Sometimes it pays to buck normalcy on sheer principle. Finely-tuned processes and well-engineered templates save us [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5163251776e4ba7b5e5cfce3Mon, 8 Apr 2013 16:15:44 -04002013-04-08T16:15:44-04:00In the film The Wild One, a defiant, motorcycle-jacketed Marlon Brando taps out a dance rhythm with his fingers atop a juke box. When asked what he's rebelling against, he snorts, "Whadya got?" That's the spirit! Sometimes it pays to buck normalcy on sheer principle. Finely-tuned processes and well-engineered templates save us [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/04/01/are-we-walking-the-dark-side-of-the-web/
Are We Walking The Dark Side of the Web?In 1962, a classic episode of Twilight Zone starred Lloyd Bochner and Richard Kiel – whom you'll remember as the steel-toothed "Jaws" in the Roger Moore / James Bond flick Moonraker. The title of the Twilight Zone story was "To Serve Man." In the tale, extraterrestrials land on earth maintaining [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5159e29176e451ac6cd4e59cMon, 1 Apr 2013 15:50:02 -04002013-04-01T15:50:02-04:00In 1962, a classic episode of Twilight Zone starred Lloyd Bochner and Richard Kiel – whom you'll remember as the steel-toothed "Jaws" in the Roger Moore / James Bond flick Moonraker. The title of the Twilight Zone story was "To Serve Man." In the tale, extraterrestrials land on earth maintaining [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/03/25/the-best-sales-associate-for-a-retail-brand-educated-nor-trained/
The Best Sales Associate for a Retail Brand? Educated... Not TrainedThis posting continues the conversation with Robert Mettler. Bob is a retail legend whose career includes doubling the size of the Macy's West division as its CEO and running merchandising for Sears during the 1990s. Among his numerous board involvements today, Bob serves as Presiding Director of the Jones Group. [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/51508d9776e451ac6cd46525Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:52:49 -04002013-03-25T13:52:49-04:00This posting continues the conversation with Robert Mettler. Bob is a retail legend whose career includes doubling the size of the Macy's West division as its CEO and running merchandising for Sears during the 1990s. Among his numerous board involvements today, Bob serves as Presiding Director of the Jones Group. [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/03/18/the-hottest-retail-brands-fast-sure-footed/
The Hottest Retail Brands: Fast and Sure-FootedRobert Mettler may be technically retired, but at 72, he remains an active force in the retail industry on many fronts. In 2009, Bob left Macy's West in San Francisco, where he had been chairman and CEO and nearly doubled that division in size. During his earlier career, he helmed [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5147256876e4ef6075f0f5caMon, 18 Mar 2013 10:37:35 -04002013-03-18T10:37:35-04:00Robert Mettler may be technically retired, but at 72, he remains an active force in the retail industry on many fronts. In 2009, Bob left Macy's West in San Francisco, where he had been chairman and CEO and nearly doubled that division in size. During his earlier career, he helmed [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/03/13/how-badly-bruised-is-apple-2/
How Badly Bruised Is Apple?Nothing quite compares with the attention given Apple since Steve Jobs' death. No modern brand has been endowed with more mythic properties. And many are anxious to conclude that the brand is today an empty bubble bereft of Jobs' charismatic genius. Managers give constant lip service to the value and depth [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5140d18d76e4ef6075f0a865Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:24:00 -04002013-03-13T15:24:00-04:00Nothing quite compares with the attention given Apple since Steve Jobs' death. No modern brand has been endowed with more mythic properties. And many are anxious to conclude that the brand is today an empty bubble bereft of Jobs' charismatic genius. Managers give constant lip service to the value and depth [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/02/28/the-great-convergence/
The Great ConvergenceThis piece is inspired by an article in Stores Magazine by Susan Reda, reporting on Alison Paul's speech at the NRF Convention - http://bit.ly/13tldpf You may know the brand. But, the stages and levels through which the brand is being assembled, tailored and disseminated defy knowing. We live in a collaborative [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/512fc53d76e4f6b6d9d48ea7Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:01:38 -05002013-02-28T16:01:38-05:00This piece is inspired by an article in Stores Magazine by Susan Reda, reporting on Alison Paul's speech at the NRF Convention - http://bit.ly/13tldpf You may know the brand. But, the stages and levels through which the brand is being assembled, tailored and disseminated defy knowing. We live in a collaborative [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/02/20/coco-chanel-personal-branding-legend/
Coco Chanel: Personal Branding LegendCoco Chanel's stunning triumphs as an innovator are a topic I've written about before: Did Coco Chanel dream these things up? She was far smarter! She listened to the world around her and articulated the vision everyone yearned to have. She enabled and facilitated a fashion cyclone that was gestating in [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5124eeb576e4a6fee423e6fbWed, 20 Feb 2013 10:44:17 -05002013-02-20T10:44:17-05:00Coco Chanel's stunning triumphs as an innovator are a topic I've written about before: Did Coco Chanel dream these things up? She was far smarter! She listened to the world around her and articulated the vision everyone yearned to have. She enabled and facilitated a fashion cyclone that was gestating in [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/02/04/altitude-bumps-why-trend-talk-can-be-jarring/
Altitude Bumps - Why Trend Talk Can Be JarringTalking about trends is routine work in the brand business. Trend commentary is something I engage in or witness nearly every day of my business life. At times it pays to step back and reflect on what happens in any business communication that demands real-world awareness. In our fast-moving times, [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/510fd74676e42198069470d5Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:46:36 -05002013-02-04T10:46:36-05:00Talking about trends is routine work in the brand business. Trend commentary is something I engage in or witness nearly every day of my business life. At times it pays to step back and reflect on what happens in any business communication that demands real-world awareness. In our fast-moving times, [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/01/25/gallery-power-the-new-branding-spark/
Gallery Power - The New Branding Spark"Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University," according to a BBC report. Researchers are discovering simple, regular walks – not powerlifting – may do the trick. These findings support my belief the brain [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/5102cb7176e4d24cddcda149Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:16:46 -05002013-01-25T13:16:46-05:00"Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University," according to a BBC report. Researchers are discovering simple, regular walks – not powerlifting – may do the trick. These findings support my belief the brain [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/01/17/power-of-the-limber-brain/
Power of the Limber Brain"Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University," according to a BBC report. Researchers are discovering simple, regular walks – not powerlifting – may do the trick. These findings support my belief the brain [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50f813e176e4caeef59a738dThu, 17 Jan 2013 10:13:28 -05002013-01-17T10:13:28-05:00"Exercising in your 70s may stop your brain from shrinking and showing the signs of ageing linked to dementia, say experts from Edinburgh University," according to a BBC report. Researchers are discovering simple, regular walks – not powerlifting – may do the trick. These findings support my belief the brain [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/01/09/laser-age-brand-curating/
Laser-Age Brand CuratingThe word "curator" is still plagued by negative connotations for many people. It calls up images of dusty museum collections policed by overseers who are either bewilderingly specialized or blatantly indifferent. The word 'curator' is rooted in the Latin curare – meaning to take care. To be sure, great curators [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50ed892a76e4704e3a02fb12Wed, 9 Jan 2013 11:17:16 -05002013-01-09T11:17:16-05:00The word "curator" is still plagued by negative connotations for many people. It calls up images of dusty museum collections policed by overseers who are either bewilderingly specialized or blatantly indifferent. The word 'curator' is rooted in the Latin curare – meaning to take care. To be sure, great curators [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2013/01/02/did-red-bull-break-the-clutter-barrier/
Did Red Bull Break The Clutter Barrier?My 11-year-old son loves a game called The Magic Candle developed by Minecraft. It's all about dungeons and castles, navigating and collating. You start with bread crumbs and gradually learn other systems that help you navigate with certainty through progressively more difficult terrains. Magic Candle whets your appetite for building. My [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50d1df2d76e4704e3a016e95Wed, 2 Jan 2013 10:41:29 -05002013-01-02T10:41:29-05:00My 11-year-old son loves a game called The Magic Candle developed by Minecraft. It's all about dungeons and castles, navigating and collating. You start with bread crumbs and gradually learn other systems that help you navigate with certainty through progressively more difficult terrains. Magic Candle whets your appetite for building. My [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2012/12/19/luxury-branding-digital-makes-it-personal/
Luxury Branding: Digital Makes It PersonalRobert Rippee has been Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Venetian and The Palazzo since December 2011. Both of these luxury hotel-casino resorts are owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Prior to joining Sands Corporation, Robert ran his own luxury marketing consultancy based in Charleston, South Carolina and [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50d21d0576e4704e3a0176deWed, 19 Dec 2012 15:08:19 -05002012-12-19T15:08:19-05:00Robert Rippee has been Senior Vice President of Marketing for The Venetian and The Palazzo since December 2011. Both of these luxury hotel-casino resorts are owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Prior to joining Sands Corporation, Robert ran his own luxury marketing consultancy based in Charleston, South Carolina and [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2012/12/11/what-snuffs-out-the-brand-torchs-flame/
What Snuffs Out The Brand Torch's Flame?Even the most accomplished managers shun the powers behind the brand. They tend to focus on its tactical traits and refuse to regard the brand as an organism of sorts. Apple is now the most valuable company in the world because of its relentless dedication to brand management. Revering Apple's [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50c797dd76e4583a14694fc4Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:46:43 -05002012-12-11T15:46:43-05:00Even the most accomplished managers shun the powers behind the brand. They tend to focus on its tactical traits and refuse to regard the brand as an organism of sorts. Apple is now the most valuable company in the world because of its relentless dedication to brand management. Revering Apple's [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2012/11/28/brand-intangibles-unleash-a-positive-frankenstorm/
Brand Intangibles: Unleash A Positive FrankenstormInspiration was the focus of my last blog. What prompted me to write it? I see so many brand packages chock full of data . . . and rice-paper thin on intangibles. Inspiration may be the foremost void, but it certainly isn't the only one. What will you spend to defend [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50b6340f76e4d74e6268771eWed, 28 Nov 2012 11:20:30 -05002012-11-28T11:20:30-05:00Inspiration was the focus of my last blog. What prompted me to write it? I see so many brand packages chock full of data . . . and rice-paper thin on intangibles. Inspiration may be the foremost void, but it certainly isn't the only one. What will you spend to defend [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/2012/11/14/does-inspiration-ring-the-register/
Does Inspiration Ring the Register?Some people go straight to the bank on inspiration. Author Saul Bellow, who won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel, maintained: “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” Pay attention to undiluted inspiration whenever it strikes. Inspiration is everything: the gateway to [...]Simon Graj, ContributorSimon Graj, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/simongraj/50a3a9fc76e4090646aec5a7Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:02:06 -05002012-11-14T10:02:06-05:00Some people go straight to the bank on inspiration. Author Saul Bellow, who won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel, maintained: “You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” Pay attention to undiluted inspiration whenever it strikes. Inspiration is everything: the gateway to [...]